Friday, January 27, 2012

Happy Thursday, Everyone! I hope you're having a great day! We are getting some much needed rain; and it has been the perfect opportunity for me to get into creative mode. 'Embellishments by SLR', originated as a showcase for decorative accents and accessories that I had created. Along the way, I discovered this tiny little thing called...blogging! LOL! With that, decorating, tablescaping, and thrifting took over; and the embellishments took a back seat. Over the past few months, I have gotten several emails regarding some of the little details, in the photos of my home. Well, this past weekend, I got back to doing something that I love...creating decorative accents for the home.

Today, I'd like to share with you some embellishments that I created to enhance your decorative accessories. These little accents can be used on lampshades, rose bowls, votive holders, dinner napkins, decorative bath towels, wreath ribbons, window treatments, or anywhere you'd like to add a little extra flair. The most wonderful thing is that the embellishments are versatile. Since they are not permanently attached, they can be removed at any time, and reused on other items, giving you a fresh look each time!

I have crosses...

fleur de lis...

And crowns...

I took some of these to a home show; and to my surprise, they sold out completely! They not only make excellent accents for your own home, but they make great gifts, as well.

I am enjoying the creative process these days; and I will be stocking new items in my Etsy shop, along the way.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Ladies, are you ready?! With Valentine's Day just around the corner, wouldn't we all like to have a new dress for that dinner out with our sweethearts?? How about a FREE dress?? Well, have I got a giveaway for you!

If you have been in blogland for any length of time, you have surely heard of the online retailer, Shabby Apple, that specializes in vintage-inspired and boutique dresses for women. Their collections also include maternity and girls, as well as accessories! I was so excited when they contacted me recently, offering a free dress to one of my readers, via this great giveaway! With Valentine's Day fast approaching, I thought the timing was perfect!! Shabby Apple's gorgeous dresses are grouped into collections, inspired by destinations around the world. Imagine traveling the world, from the comfort of your computer, viewing gorgeous dresses, inspired by many exotic locations! Some of my personal favorites include:

With so many great styles and colors to choose from, you're sure to find a flattering silhouette just for you!! Valentine's Day and Easter are fast approaching; and it's a great time to shop for that perfect dress! Shabby Apple is also generously offering my readers a 10% off coupon code to use at checkout. The code is:"embellishments10off"Hurry, it expires on 2/17/12!!

The winner of this great giveaway will receive this lovely, classic black cocktail dress, "Boogie Woogie"!! What girl can ever have too many "little black dresses"?

Shabby Apple describes the dress this way:"Some things are just better together: peanut butter and chocolate, Ella and Louis, love and dancing. We decided to pair two things we love—the soft, cotton jersey of our favorite t-shirt, and the gorgeous sateen of our Jazz Age collection—to create the Boogie Woogie, an indispensably comfortable-yet-elegant little black dress. A luxe jersey cap sleeve top is gathered at the waist with a wide satin sash, and a veritable bouquet of appliquéd, ruched flowers and leaves adorns the full sateen skirt that swirls just below your knee. A truly inspired combination,the Boogie Woogie has star potential. "

That's all you have to do! That gives you 4 chances to win!! This contest will run through January 24th, at 12 midnight. I will post the winner here on Wednesday morning, January 25th, by 10 a.m. The winner will be chosen by Random.org

**Finally, the winner must have a U.S. mailing address; and there are no exchanges for the winning dress. **

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Happy Thursday, Everyone!! I am so happy that you stopped by today. It's a special day at Embellishments by SLR, because my friend, Katherine, over at Katherine's Corner, has so graciously invited me to co-host her Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop, for this week! If you have not visited Katherine's blog, you are truly missing out!! Katherine provides a wealth of information on recipes, crafts, life stories, photography, giveaways and product reviews!

When I think about my favorite things, I think of the things that truly bring me joy in life...spending time with my family, decorating, creating and of course, blogging!

I started this blog of mine, back in September, with the intention of just sharing some of the decorative home accessories that I create and embellish...hence, the name..."Embellishments by SLR". Little did I know that I would become a decorator, a tablescaper, an Etsy shop owner, and a bona fide thrifter!! The world of blogging has opened up some amazing opportunities for me that I could not have imagined just four short months ago!

Along the way, I have also formed some amazing friendships! I feel truly blessed to have met so many great ladies that share the same passions and interests that I do. Each day, your blogs inspire me, challenge my creativity, and motivate me to be the best that I can be!

So today, I invite you to join us by sharing your favorite blog posts. You may just find some new blogs, and make some new friends, along the way!

Thursdays Favorite Things Hop is where you can link your favorite post to share with old and new followers or write a post about your favorite things!

Here are the rules, yes there are rules. But just a few:

You must follow Katherines Corner. ( through Google +, GFC, or email) If you’re a new follower, please let her know and she'll follow back .Please also follow my blog,Embellishments by SLR too, before you start hopping.

Leave a comment when you follow so we all know you stopped by.

No adult content blogs.

Blogs only please.

Follow as many other blogs in the list as you can. Just click and go.

Leave a sincere comment or message on each of the blogs you visit so they know you stopped by.

Now hop on and lets share our favorites. If you’d like to post this blog hop on your page please just grab the linky code . Or if you would like to be a co-host please contact Katherine

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

I'm still in the midst of my post-holiday tweaking. As you may recall, I made some changes to the finishes in the dining room, just prior to Thanksgiving. Thus, the change here is minimal...yet, it packs a punch!

I took away two of the side chairs; and brought in the red camelback settee from the office. It creates an intimate seating arrangement, at the dining table. The table, chairs, and china cabinet are antiques that belonged to my grandparents. I am currently using the sideboard as my foyer table. The chairs are smaller in scale, as opposed to the oversized Tuscan chairs you've seen in this room before. Thus, the settee seats two perfectly, without overcrowding the arrangement.

I love how the wall color changes from day to night. During the day, the room is very bright and cheery. At night, it becomes much more intimate.

I have always loved the look of a settee or banquette around a dining table. In fact, I did this look a few years ago; and everyone always wanted to sit on the settee for dinner! The lines of this piece are clean and classic; however, it adds a slightly modern touch to the room.

For the centerpiece, I brought in the large arrangement that was on the foyer table; and replaced it with crystal rose bowls and candlesticks, that I shared with you here. It now adds drama and color to the dining room. I made a new, miniature version for the entry table. I like to keep my florals and colors consistent, to maintain the flow, from room to room.

This is the view, entering the dining room, from the foyer...I love the pattern, created by the lights, on the ceiling. That's what I call a "free" medallion! LOL! To the right of the entry, is a small accent table with a pair of topiaries and an accent lamp.

(I am in the process of rearranging the iron shelf, to the left.)

Here is a daylight shot, with the table and settee turned lengthwise, in the room. Just another option.The wine storage is just to the left.

As you can see, the change was a simple one; but, the punch of red makes a huge statement. It keeps the antique, traditional furnishings from becoming too 'stuffy'; and provides a great punch of color! I love the mix of the two styles! For more design images and inspiration, using settees in a dining room, check out this post at Developing Designs!

Well, that's it for now. Like most of you, I have a laundry list of projects that I'd like to tackle. I just have to figure out where I'd like to begin!

This year, when my family members asked what I would like for Christmas, I had a couple of ideas in mind. I didn't want clothes and personal items...I buy those for myself all year. But, I did drop some very not so subtle hints for 'Santa'. (Does sending emails, with photos, count as subtle?) LOL!

I have been a long-time subscriber to Southern Lady magazine. Quite frequently, on the inside front cover, there has been an ad from Arthur Court. Arthur Court Designs carries some of the most exquisite serveware that I have ever seen. There is something so elegant and Southern about their tabletop accessories! I have had my eye on one piece, in particular, for quite some time:

I love the grapevine embellishment!

Imagine my delight when I opened the box on Christmas morning!! Dear Hubby/Santa really came thru!! I love this dispenser!! I think it is such an elegant way to serve iced tea, lemonade, or punch, when entertaining; and it holds a little over 2 gallons. I can't wait to use it! I think we'll even use it, just for ourselves, on the weekends! Why not? You only live once! When not in use, it is also a great vessel to display green or red apples, pomegranates, lemons or limes!

The other item I had on my wish list was this red Paula Deen cookware! I remember the first time I saw Paula use it on the Food Network. I thought they were the coolest pots ever! I don't know why I never purchased them...but, they've always been on my list of things to get.

Not that I have such a passion for cooking...I just thought they would look awesome on my pot rack! LOL!! I just adore the pretty red color, with the little black speckles; and the lids...with that touch of copper...so sweet! My dear sweet daughters combined their resources and invested in a complete set for me! I've used them a couple of times, since Christmas; and I have informed 'the residents' here, that I am the only one allowed to use them! LOL! I have my copper pots on the front side of the pot rack...and these around the back and sides...

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Happy Sunday! I hope you've had a great weekend! We spent the first part of the weekend returning the last of the Christmas boxes to the attic; and then, I was in decorating mode...again! Sometimes, I just have to laugh at myself. A couple of days ago, I posted my mantel, coffee table and entry table. Well, wouldn't you know it? They didn't stay that way! Lol!! We all felt that something was missing. Sometimes, after you live with things for a few days, they lose some of their initial appeal. In trying to declutter after Christmas, I took away the heart of what makes our home...the deep rich COLOR!

So, the throw came back to the coffee table:

And, I made new arrangements for the mantel and the entry table. We LOVE the crystal rose bowls that I added to the entry, but it lacked the colors that we so love. So, here is the revised version:

The mantel is still the same...I just replaced the hydrangeas with a more colorful arrangement. The hydrangeas have a new home, on the desk, in my office.

Today, the weather is dreary and cloudy; but, the room feels warm and cozy! And we wouldn't have it any other way!! Now, off to the dining room!

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Well, after packing away the Christmas decorations, I'm now shopping my home for items that I can use to create fresh looks in the house. Today, I finally got around to my entry table. The last time you saw it, we were all decked out for Christmas. Here is how it looks today:

I wanted to capture some of the sparkle that we had during the holidays; so, I decided to group some of my crystal rose bowls. These bowls, and the candlesticks, were scattered around the house; but, I think they look pretty in front of our foyer mirror, all grouped together. (I used the flash on this shot to capture all of the cuts in the crystal.) Believe it or not, the crystal rose bowl in the front, on the left, was actually a 99¢ find, at my local Goodwill thrift store! While I only used four candlesticks and bowls, the reflection in the mirror gives the illusion of eight. It looks so pretty at night, with the flickering votives!

In front of the grouping, down low, I added this pretty frame that I purchased from Kristen of Kristen's Creations. The black and red work perfectly with the runner on the table and the coordinating pillows, in the chairs.

Instead of putting a photo in the frame, I got an old hymnal out of the piano bench. I used the sheet music from "Amazing Grace". I love the way it turned out!

Along with the frame, I added the iron crown that holds my Lampe Berger scented oil lampe, and a decorative finial. I found the finial last fall, at my local Goodwill, for about $2. It had a shiny gold finish; but I toned it down by wiping on some diluted black craft paint. I think it works well with this vignette.

Finally, I switched out the lamp bases, with lamps from the kitchen, to blend in with the candlesticks. I kept the red lampshades that I already had.

I can only imagine how pretty the rose bowls will look with clusters of white roses in the Spring! (Did I mention that I also have a new obsession with white flowers? LOL)

SHOP KINSLEY ARMELLE JEWELRY

About Me

Wife. Mother. Lifestyle Blogger. I'm a Southern girl, born and raised in Louisiana, who migrated to Texas, and loves everything about decorating and entertaining. I call my decor style a "gumbo". It's Southern style, with a twist. It's a dash of Tuscan, a splash of French, a pinch of Old World and a hint of Contemporary. I invite you to join me as I share my fabulous finds and lifestyle ideas.